The ability to find and use "good" information is an increasingly important
skill for students in higher education. Typically, librarians determine whether
or not a student is "information literate" based on their ability to:

Determine when information is needed

Access information quickly and efficiently

Evaluate information sources critically

Incorporate information into ones knowledge base

Use information to accomplish a specific purpose

Understand and use information ethically and legally

The following 10-question anonymous survey asks you to examine the way students
are required to use information in your classes, and how you go about
instructing them in this area. Your responses will be critical in helping the
library and the Composition Committee understand your needs and the needs of
your students now and in the future.

1. How do you define “information
literacy"

The following four questions refer to
the level of information literacy competency

students in your class need to be
successful. 4 indicates high need, 1 indicates low need

2. In my class, students must be able
to independently define and articulate a need

for information.

High Need
Low Need

4
3
2
1

3. I require my students to find and
use information from sources such as books, journals, databases, etc.

High Need
Low Need

4
3
2
1

4. In my class, students must be able
to evaluate information and its sources

critically.

High Need
Low Need

4
3
2
1

5. In my class, students must be able
to synthesize, utilize, and communicate

information effectively to accomplish a
specific purpose.

High Need
Low Need

4
3
2
1

6. What methods do you use to help your
students learn the skills in the above questions?

7. What criteria or methods do you use
to evaluate your
students?proficiency in these skills?

8. Approximately what percentage of
your students have the basic computer skills

required to use electronic information
sources?

0-20% of students have the necessary computer skills

21%-40% of students have the
necessary computer skills

41%-60% of students have the
necessary computer skills

61%-80% of students have the
necessary computer skills

81%-100% of students have the
necessary computer skills

Unknown

9. Do you require students to use
e-mail or the web (including products like WebCT) for your classes?

Email

The Web

Email and the Web

Neither email nor the Web

10. Do you think students would benefit
from having a library orientation/research component in each of the English
composition courses, from 1539 through 1551?